Leonardo DiCaprio’s revenge western The Revenant has already used hundreds of local extras during it secretive shoot in southern Alberta, but the production apparently still needs more new faces.
Specifically, it needs First Nations men.
Casting directors will be holding an open call for native males, 18 and over with slim builds, on Saturday in the Sundance Room of the Blackfoot Inn, 5940 Blackfoot Trail SE. Tryouts will be from 1 to 6 p.m.
The Revenant began shooting at the end of the September in various locations, including Morley, Drumheller, Kananaskis Country, Dead Man’s Flats and areas near Canmore. It also shot in Squamish, B.C.
Dozens of native extras were used in epic battle scenes that were shot in Morley in October.
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is directing the ambitious western, which stars DiCaprio, British actor Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, Lukas Haas, Domhnall Gleeson and B.C. native Brendan Fletcher.
It is based on the novel by Michael Punke. DiCaprio plays Hugh Glass, a frontiersman in the 1820s who is mauled by a bear and vows revenge on the men who left him behind.
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Inarritu is currently riding a wave of acclaim for his film Birdman starring Michael Keaton. It was nominated for seven Golden Globe awards. Keaton took home the trophy for best actor, while Inarritu shared a prize for best screenplay. On Thursday morning, it was nominated for nine Oscars, including nods for best picture and best director.
The Mexican director is known for his innovative use of long shots, which sources say have required plenty of rehearsal during production of The Revenant.
